Plasma Copper and Metabolic Syndrome in Mesoamerican Children and Their Parents
Claudia R Villatoro-Santos1, Manuel Ramirez-Zea2, Eduardo Villamor3
1Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, SPH II, Room M5507, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA.
Insights
Plasma copper levels show potential links to metabolic syndrome components in children and adults. Higher copper in children correlated with increased blood pressure and lower HDL cholesterol, warranting further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Human Nutrition
- Metabolic Diseases
Background:
- The role of copper in metabolic syndrome (MetS) etiology remains unclear.
- Understanding trace element associations with MetS is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between plasma copper concentrations and MetS and its components.
- To assess these associations in both pediatric and adult populations.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 198 children (7-12 years) and 378 adults from Mesoamerica.
- Children's metabolic risk score included waist circumference, insulin resistance, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and blood lipids.
- Adult MetS defined by Adult Treatment Panel III criteria.
Main Results:
- No significant association between plasma copper and overall MetS in children or adults.
- Children with higher plasma copper had significantly higher MAP and lower HDL-cholesterol.
- Adult plasma copper showed a positive association with abdominal obesity.
Conclusions:
- Plasma copper may play a role in specific MetS components, particularly in children.
- Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the detrimental effects of copper on MetS development.
- Further research should explore copper's precise role in metabolic health.
Abstract:
The role of copper in the etiology of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is uncertain. We evaluated associations of plasma copper concentrations with MetS and its components in a cross-sectional study of 198 children ages 7-12 years and 378 adult parents from eight Mesoamerican countries. In children, the outcome was a metabolic risk score based on waist circumference, insulin resistance, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and blood lipids. In adults, we defined MetS per Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Plasma copper was not significantly related to MetS in children or adults; however, children with copper above the median had a MAP score 0.04 (95% CI, 0.002, 0.08; P = 0.04) adjusted units higher and a HDL-cholesterol score 0.07 (95% CI, - 0.13, - 0.003; P = 0.04) adjusted units lower than those with lower copper concentrations. In adults, copper was positively related to abdominal obesity. Longitudinal studies to confirm the deleterious role of copper on MetS components are warranted.
